Korakuen Garden

As part of my road trip to Okayama, Korakuen Garden was highly recommended by many of my friends abroad. I’ll admit, I was initially skeptical, having visited many gardens in Canada that tend to be quite similar and underwhelming, I didn’t expect to be impressed. As a result, Korakuen wasn’t high on my bucket list, but now I’m so glad I didn’t skip it! As it was part of my Okayama road trip, I actually went to Okayama by car and as a result parked nearby and then took a bus to the garden. For those who don't have a car, Okayama offers plenty of convenient transportation options like the tram so no need to worry! The garden seems to be a popular attraction amongst japanese locals, as I noticed many people taking the bus were also going to the garden. After paying the 500 yen entrance fee, which I initially thought was a little pricey, I was immediately grateful I’d decided to go in. Upon entering and heading to the starting point of the garden, I was amazed by the beautiful view that i've attached above in the images. The garden’s design and landscape is unlike i've ever seen before. It’s amazing how well the park has been preserved, maintaining its picture perfect appearance with meticulously shaped plants and well maintained pathways. The soft light complemented by the sunset made the sight even more beautiful. What stood out to me most was the overwhelming sense of peace and harmony experienced while walking through the park. Every element, from the pathways and trees to the small streams, complemented each other perfectly. Overall, my visit to Korakuen was a wonderful surprise and an unforgettable highlight of my trip.